Story
<p>Okay everyone. In May, my family went through the kind of event that stops everything in it's tracks. When it restarted, it was heading in a different direction and somethings, like this, got left behind.</p>
<p>Well, now I'm restarting this challenge. I thank you for your patience with me, and I hope that you can maintain your support.</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Dave</p>
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<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Like a lot of people, I have had the opportunity to pile on the pounds in recent years. An opportunity I’ve taken with great gusto. And like most people, I’ve also realised that it might be a good idea to shed some of those pounds. Gaining weight is a matter of balance; you take in more than you need. To redress that balance, we have to give some of what we have. (Updates below)</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">While doing this, I thought it would be nice to share the opportunity to give a bit of what we have. I will be donating 1 pound (GBP) for every pound (lbs) that I lose. Any contribution you would like to make would be really appreciated and would go to support famine and poverty relief in the world. Not only will you be helping to motivate me, you will be helping to feed a hungry child and very possibly save a life. I’m getting my motivation from some pretty scary facts:</span></span></p>
<p style="text-indent: -18pt; margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">·</span></span><span style="font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Every year 15 million children die of hunger or hunger related illnesses. </span></span></p>
<p style="text-indent: -18pt; margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">·</span></span><span style="font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">1.1 billion people are currently malnourished or under nourished. </span></span></p>
<p style="text-indent: -18pt; margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">·</span></span><span style="font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This occurs despite the fact that global food production exceeds global food requirements by 10 %. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">If you decide to give, you can sponsor as a one time contribution or by the pound (not necessarily a pound for pound ratio). I will be conducting weigh-ins every Friday and uploading them to the site. I will also upload a progress photo every month. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Cheers,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Dave</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Friday 20 May 2011:</span> Quite a lot of effort this week, but it seems to be paying off. Lost 2 pounds this week. The weight isn't falling off, but slow burn tends to stay off more than quick loss. If I keep up this rate, slow and steady, I'll make my target of 12 stone (168 pounds) by Christmas. The donations (and faith) are really helping me stay motivated so keep 'em coming guys. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Monday 16 May 2011:</span> Decided to skip weigh in on Friday. Roz (my wife) bieng away for a week meant no trips to the gym. I didn't want to get de-motivated. I am convinced that the only weigh I can lose weight is through a lot of activity. She was back saturday evening, so road my bike in today. Planning three bike trips and two gym sessions between now and Friday, so we'll see how it goes. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Wednesday 11 May 2011:</span> Had some really great responses to the fundraiser. Again, thank you everyone for your donations. Was at the personal trainer last night making money for the cause. Also, my local councillor Tina Liddington has agreed to match me pound for pound in the fundraiser. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Friday 6 May 2011</span> Weight: 15 Stone 11 Pounds. Not much change, but trying not to get dis-hearted. </span></p>
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